JP6355912B2 - Discharge assembly and method for assembling dispenser and discharging fluid - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a dispensing assembly and a method for assembling a dispenser and dispensing fluid.

  In the discharge field, it is common to generate a mixed fluid by mixing two or more fluid components immediately before discharge. For example, a first fluid and a second fluid, such as a first liquid adhesive component and a second liquid adhesive component, are mixed to produce a curable liquid adhesive that is applied onto a workpiece or substrate. can do. The first liquid adhesive component and the second liquid adhesive component are each separately housed in separate chambers of a suitable container. One type of container is known as a dual chamber cartridge. A nozzle is mounted at the component outlet of the cartridge, and pressure is applied to the first and second liquid components to drive the first and second liquid components into the nozzle. A static mixer is also positioned in the nozzle. Thus, the first liquid component and the second liquid component travel through a static mixer in the nozzle, and the fully mixed adhesive is dispensed from the nozzle tip or application outlet onto the workpiece or substrate. The Although this particular example produces a certain curable liquid adhesive that is dispensed, any number and type of fluid components may be mixed together to produce any of a variety of desirable properties used by the end user. A mixed fluid can be produced.

  Two or more fluid components can be directed to the mixing nozzle in equal or unequal amounts depending on the fluid ratio required for application. In many cases, the cartridge outlets are in parallel configuration. The side-by-side configuration provides a fluid cross-section that similarly brings fluid components into parallel contact. As such, the fluid components remain relatively unmixed, which can significantly reduce the beneficial properties of the mixed fluid. For example, improperly mixed liquid adhesives do not cure effectively and can cause partial or total failure of the adhesive in use. Another related problem relates to the mechanical fluid connection made between the nozzle and the dual chamber cartridge. Similar challenges may exist with respect to dispensers that are configured to dispense only a single fluid.

  This connection is quick and easy to make and maintains the separation of fluid components when mixing multiple fluids and then ejecting them, and then pre-preventing at the inlet end of the nozzle. Improvements that ensure that they are still mechanically robust during mixing are desirable.

  In general, in one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dispensing assembly for dispensing fluid. The fluid may be a single fluid or a fluid comprising a mixture of two or more fluid components. The discharge assembly includes a container having a chamber that holds at least one fluid component. A nozzle having an inlet end and an outlet end is provided. A first connecting member is positioned at the inlet end of the nozzle. A second connecting member is associated with the container and communicates with the chamber. The first connecting member and the second connecting member can be detachably coupled to each other so as to establish a flow path from the chamber to the inlet end of the nozzle. The connecting member optionally connects the inlet end of the nozzle to the container.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a dispensing assembly that dispenses a mixture of a first fluid component and a second fluid component is provided. The dispensing assembly generally includes a container that is coupled with the nozzle in a unique manner to achieve a mechanical fluid connection. More specifically, the container has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber hold a first fluid component and a second fluid component, respectively. The nozzle has an inlet end and an outlet end. A first connecting member and a second connecting member are generally positioned at the inlet end of the nozzle. Another mating pair of connection members, a third connection member and a fourth connection member, are associated with the container and communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are removable from the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member, respectively, so as to establish a flow path from the first chamber and the second chamber to the inlet end of the nozzle. It is possible to be connected to. In order to provide a secure mechanical connection, a connecting member is provided, which selectively connects the inlet end of the nozzle to the container.

  Additional features that achieve various embodiments of the invention may also be provided. For example, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are a single insert that is generally positioned between the inlet end of the nozzle and the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member. Can be part. This member can be a separate piece, for example in the form of an insert that can be at least partially disposed within the inlet end of the nozzle, or can be formed as an integral part of the nozzle. You can also. The connecting member may further include a sliding member carried so as to slide along the support structure of the container. The sliding member is slidable between a lock position and a lock release position. The nozzle can be separated from the container when the sliding member is in the unlocked position. The sliding member includes a U-shaped member having an open end and a closed end, and the open end accommodates the inlet end of the nozzle and can be connected to the inlet end when in the locked position. The inlet end of the nozzle may have a flange, and then the U-shaped sliding member includes the flange connecting the U-shaped sliding member to the inlet end of the nozzle in the locked position. It can have a recess for storage. More specifically, the support structure may have an upright rail extending from the container and having a generally T-shaped cross section. In this case, the sliding coupling member has a flange engaged with the rail so as to guide the movement of the sliding coupling member along the rail. Regarding each connection member, the first connection member and the second connection member are the third connection member and the fourth connection member, and one of these pairs of connection members is each pair. By housing the other of these connecting members, the frictional engagement can be achieved. The nozzle includes at least one static fluid that mixes the first fluid component and the second fluid component before discharging the mixed fluid component of the first fluid component and the second fluid component from the outlet end. A static mixer member can be provided.

  In general, the present invention provides a method of assembling a dispenser. The method fluidly connects a first connection member associated with the inlet end of the nozzle to a second connection member of a container configured to hold fluid in the chamber; Sliding the connecting member from the unlocked position to the locked position so as to connect the nozzle to the container.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling a dispenser configured to mix and dispense at least two fluid components. The method generally includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member associated with a nozzle, and a first fluid component and a second fluid component respectively in a first chamber and a second chamber. Fluidly connecting to a third connecting member and a fourth connecting member positioned in a container held therein. The connecting member is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position so as to connect the nozzle to the container. Next, the first fluid component and the second fluid component are supplied from the first chamber and the second chamber to the first connection member, the second connection member, the third connection member, and the fourth connection member. Through and into the nozzle. The first fluid component and the second fluid component are mixed in the nozzle, and then the mixture is directed out of the nozzle.

  The method can include further steps involving the use of various features described herein. For example, moving the connecting member can further include sliding the connecting member along the support structure of the container. In the case of a U-shaped sliding coupling member, the open end slides over the inlet end of the nozzle to the locked position. The fluid connection of the first connecting member and the second connecting member to the third connecting member and the fourth connecting member is to connect the first connecting member to the third connecting member. It further includes friction fitting and friction fitting the second connection member to the fourth connection member.

  Various further advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent when the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an assembled form of a dispensing assembly configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled part of the discharge assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an insert used to direct fluid from a dual chamber cartridge into a nozzle. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the sliding connection member of a discharge assembly in a lock release position. It is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 which shows a sliding connection member in a locked position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1.

  1 and 2 show a dispensing assembly 10 configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is designed to mix and then dispense two fluid components, but if it is desired to dispense only a single fluid component without mixing, a change is made to the assembly. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this can be done. The discharge assembly 10 generally includes a container 12 that is coupled to a nozzle 14 in a mechanical fluid connection section 16 (FIG. 1). The container 12 is a dual chamber cartridge having a first chamber 18 and a second chamber 20 in this embodiment. The first chamber 18 has a smaller volume than the second chamber 20 as shown. However, it will be appreciated that the chambers 18, 20 can have any desired size ratio, shape ratio and volume ratio selected according to application needs. Container 12 may be configured in any suitable configuration other than the specific configuration shown and described herein. The construction material can include plastics or other materials suitable for the application needs and fluid components. The nozzle 14 has an inlet end 22 and an outlet end 24 as best shown in FIG.

  The insert 26 (FIG. 2) is generally positioned between the container 12 and the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14. The insert 26 has a first connecting member 28 and a second connecting member 30 in the form of a stub or protruding tube, the first connecting member 28 and the second connecting member 30 extending from the container 12. Engaging with the respective third and fourth connecting members 32 and 34 in the form of protruding stubs or tubes and providing fluid communication with the third and fourth connecting members 32 and 34 To do. The third connection stub 32 communicates with the first chamber 18, while the fourth connection stub 34 communicates with the second chamber 20. Thus, the third connection stub 32 and the fourth connection stub 34 are effectively the fluid outlets of the first chamber 18 and the second chamber 20, respectively. As will be understood from the following description, the first connection stub 28 is housed in the third connection stub 32 by friction fitting, and similarly, the second connection stub 30 is similarly friction-fitted. It is stored in the fourth connection stub 34. As will also be described below, this connection allows the first fluid component 38 and the second fluid component 40 (FIG. 3) to be connected from the first chamber 18 and the second chamber 20 to the connection stubs 28, 30. , 32, 34 can be directed to the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14, respectively. The term “fluid” includes any material that exhibits fluid flow characteristics. Other forms and designs of connecting members 28, 30, 32, 34 can be used instead. For example, the connection members 32, 34 of the container 12 are not simply protruding stubs or tubes into which the first connection stub 28 and the second connection stub 30 frictionally fit, but instead simply the respective ports. be able to. Alternatively, the reverse configuration can be used, i.e., a port can be provided in the insert 26 to frictionally accommodate the third connection stub 32 and the fourth connection stub 34 or in the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14. It can be formed directly.

  The connecting member 42 is provided in the form of a U-shaped sliding member, and is firmly connected to the outlet end 46 of the container 12 and slides along the upright rail 44 extending from the outlet end 46. The U-shaped sliding member 42 moves along the upright rail 44 to the position shown in FIG. 1 to mechanically connect, i.e., generally lock, the nozzle 14 to the container 12 and at the same time the first chamber 18 and Fluid communication is provided between the second chamber 20 and the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14.

  FIG. 3 shows the dispensing assembly 10 in cross-section, while FIG. 4 better shows the insert 26 in a perspective view. Thus, based on the discussion of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first fluid component 38 passes through the outlet 46 of the first chamber 18 and is coupled together and the first connection stub 28 and the third connection stub. It will be appreciated that it flows through 32 into the inner section 48 of the inlet end 22. The first fluid component 38 then flows into the main path 50 of the nozzle 14 where it is mixed with the second fluid component 40 by the static mixer member 52. The first fluid component 38 flows through the inner inclined slot 54 of the insert 26. The second fluid component 40 passes from the outlet 56 of the second chamber 20 through the second connection stub 30 and the fourth connection stub 34 that are coupled together to another internal section of the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14. Directed within 58. The second fluid component 40 flows through the upstanding portion 60 of the insert 26 into the main path 50 and is mixed with the first fluid component 38. Fluid flow is more fully described in co-pending patent application 61 / 717,335 filed on October 23, 2012, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The disclosure of the application is hereby incorporated by reference.

  5-7 best illustrate the mechanical connection between the container 12 and the nozzle 14. The U-shaped sliding member 42 is accommodated in the upright rail 44 and is slid in one direction by a pair of ramp members 62 and 64 that engage with the rear end of the U-shaped sliding member 42, that is, the closed end 66. It is prevented from coming off from the rail 44. The sliding member 42 is prevented from sliding off the container 12 by sliding in the reverse direction by the fourth connection stub 34 (see FIG. 2). The sliding member 42 further has a slot 68 in the closed end 66 that houses the horizontal section 70 of the rail 44 (see FIG. 6). A vertical slot 72 in the sliding member 42 houses the vertical section 74 of the rail 44 as best shown in FIGS. The rails 44 are molded around or with the upright connection stubs 32, 34 of the container 12 (see FIG. 2). The insert 26 frictionally engages the first connection stub 28 and the second connection stub 30 with the third connection stub 32 and the fourth connection stub 34, and the first connection stub 28 and the second connection stub 30. After being coupled to the connection stubs 32, 34 by inserting the third connection stub 32 and the fourth connection stub 34, the user moves the sliding coupling member 42 from the position shown in FIG. 5. Slide to the position shown in FIG. For this purpose, finger grips 75 and 77 are provided on the sliding member 42. It will be appreciated that the open end 79 of the sliding member 42 houses the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14 and in this process passes the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14 as well as the insert 26 and connecting members 28, 30, 32, 34. I will.

  As best shown in FIG. 7, the sliding coupling member 42 has a recess 76 along the inner wall 78 that houses a flange 80 extending outwardly from the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14. The sliding connection member 42 is mechanically connected to the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14 by the engagement between the recess 76 and the flange 80. The sliding coupling member 42 is mechanically coupled to the container 12 when the internal flange 82 of the sliding coupling member 42 abuts directly below the horizontal section 70 of the rail 44. Thus, the interaction of the flange 82 and the rail 44 is both a sliding guide and a mechanical connection that prevents both the sliding connecting member 42 and the attached nozzle 14 from disengaging from the container 12. Work as. When the first fluid component 38 and the second fluid component 40 are connected as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, as is known, the first chamber 18 and the second chamber 20 ( 3) and propelled from the chamber 18, 20 by any suitable means, such as by use of air pressure and / or respective piston members (not shown), and the first as shown in FIG. The fluid component 38 and the second fluid component 40 can be directed through the inlet end 22 of the nozzle 14 to the main passage 50. The fluid components 38, 40 are mixed by the static mixer member 52 and finally discharged as a mixture through the outlet end 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The invention has been illustrated by preferred descriptions of various embodiments, and these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, but the scope of the appended claims should be limited or limited in any way to such details. There is no intention to do. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The various features of the present invention can be used alone or in any combination depending on the needs and preferences of the user. This specification describes the invention, along with the preferred methods of practicing the invention as currently known. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

A discharge assembly for discharging fluid,
A container having a chamber holding at least one component of the fluid;
A nozzle having an inlet end and an outlet end;
A first connecting member disposed at the inlet end of the nozzle;
A second connecting member that communicates with the chamber and cooperates with the container, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are detachably connected to each other, and the nozzle is connected to the nozzle from the chamber. A second connecting member capable of forming a flow path into the inlet end;
It said inlet end of said nozzle have a, and operable coupling member to selectively couple to said container,
The connecting member further includes a sliding member carried so as to slide along the support structure of the container,
The sliding member is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
The nozzle can be separated from the container when the sliding member is in the unlocked position;
The support structure further comprises an upright rail extending from the container and having a T-shaped cross section ;
The sliding member, the discharge assembly to have a flange that the rail engaging to guide the movement of said sliding member along said rail. A discharge assembly according to claim 1,
Wherein the first connecting member, the discharge assembly is part of a single insert which is disposed between the second connecting member and the inlet end of the nozzle. A discharge assembly according to claim 1,
The sliding member is U-shaped and has an open end and a closed end;
A dispensing assembly that receives and connects to the inlet end of the nozzle when the open end is in the locked position . A discharge assembly according to claim 3,
The inlet end of the nozzle has a flange, and the U-shaped sliding member includes the flange that connects the U-shaped sliding member to the inlet end of the nozzle at the lock position. A discharge assembly having a recess for storage . A discharge assembly according to claim 1 ,
Each of the first connecting member and the second connecting member is a discharge assembly having a size that can be coupled together by friction fitting .

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